Lovescape

Chapter 5-2

* * *

Vidal felt bewitched. When did emerald eyes become so very desirable? I always knew I was attracted to her, so why did I never attempt to woo her? Between our years of friendship and our burning mutual desire, we’re not far from an ideal basis for marriage. That combination should lead to a satisfying union.

I always knew I was attracted to her, so why did I never attempt to woo her? Between our years of friendship and our burning mutual desire, we’re not far from an ideal basis for marriage. That combination should lead to a satisfying union.Perhaps, as she had once told him, his heart had not been free before. Well, it is now, and I intend to find out whether it can be given again. Nerves flooded him. Do I dare risk my heart with a woman once more? Granted, she’s no Carmen, but what if she also finds me inadequate in the end? Will I be able to survive?

Well, it is now, and I intend to find out whether it can be given againDo I dare risk my heart with a woman once more? Granted, she’s no Carmen, but what if she also finds me inadequate in the end? Will I be able to survive?Firmly, he told himself there was no reason to fear anything of the sort would happen. Rosalind would never lead him on the way Carmen had. If nothing else, he could count on honesty between them.

A vision rose up in his mind of what it would be like to spend the rest of his life with Rosalind. Making love whenever they wanted, waking every morning with her beside him, talking every day. We’re well suited.

We’re well suited.The dance drew to a close, and with regret, he released her. He could have held her, waltzed with her, all night. No. If I held her all night, it’s another dance we would be performing.

No. If I held her all night, it’s another dance we would be performingReluctantly, Vidal released Rosalind, leading her back to a bench on the edge of the clearing. He kissed her hand again, his eyes lingering on hers for another long moment. Then, with a sigh, he set off to find another partner.

None of the other young women seemed interesting. Do they know how to do anything other than giggle?

Do they know how to do anything other than giggle?Claudia met his eye from across the square, and he quickly claimed her. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Rosalind enfolded in Blas Gongora’s beefy arms.

“Well, Don Vidal, it appears you have made some changes tonight,” Claudia said saucily.

Though aware he was sporting a rather stupid grin, he made no attempt to school his face. “Si, Señora. Thank you for talking some sense into me.”

“Rosalinda looks happier than I’ve ever seen her. She also looks slightly in shock,” the matron commented.

“No more than I feel,” Vidal replied.

“Ah, the first stirrings.” She grinned. “You be good to that girl, or you’ll answer to me. Understand?”

“I promise.”

Claudia laughed. “You have certainly given the gossips something to talk about tonight.”

“Including you?”

“Naturally,” she replied with pride. “I will be able to say how I orchestrated the whole thing. Anyone can see the two of you are made for each other.”

Vidal smiled.

They chatted easily throughout the dance, but Vidal kept a close eye on Rosalind. As soon as the music stopped, she meandered away toward the benches, and then with a quick glance around, skittered into a grove of pines. He headed toward the wine barrel in his roundabout route after her.

* * *

Beyond the torchlight, thick darkness closed in on the grove. The fragrant trees whispered in a wind that had more of winter than autumn about it, and Rosalind shivered. She had left her shawl in the cart, knowing the combined body heat of the partygoers would warm the pavilion considerably.

A branch snapped behind her, and she jumped. Then strong arms embraced her, and she leaned her head back against Vidal’s shoulder.

“What’s happening?” she asked softly.

“What do you mean, querida?”

“You know. The sudden change in behavior.” Her confusion didn’t stop her from snuggling closer against his body.

“I have decided I need to add some complication to my life.”

“Vidal!” she exclaimed.

“I’m courting you, querida,” he told her.

Rosalind blinked. “But, Vidal, courting implies…”

“I know what it implies,” he replied, cupping her cheek with one calloused hand.

“Oh, Vidal. Are you sure?”

“No,” he admitted, and her stomach swooped, “but I’m sure I want to find out.”

Rosalind relaxed, but her disbelief still overrode her enjoyment. “Why me? You’re surrounded by beautiful women.”

“I don’t want any of them, I want you,” he replied. “I’ve known you a long time, and I like everything about you. Especially your devotion.”

He was revealing more than he knew. Rosalind vowed on the spot to do everything in her power never to break faith with this man. How could I when what he seems to want is the fulfillment of my deepest fantasy? She turned in his arms. “If you truly wish to court me, Vidal, I have no objections.”

How could I when what he seems to want is the fulfillment of my deepest fantasy? * * *

Relief rushed through him. She wants me, too. Though he’d expected it, hearing the words proved more soothing than he would have thought.

She wants me, too.She slipped her arms around his neck and tipped her face up in an invitation too compelling to resist. His lips met hers in a passionate embrace. Fearlessly they kissed, tongues dancing.

Her taste had haunted him in the past year, as he tossed and turned sleeplessly in his bed, his large, cold, empty bed. Ah, how I long to have that bed filled again with her. If we do marry, she will sleep there every night. The thought of waking each morning with Rosalind in his arms was almost as lovely as the thought of how each night would end.

Ah, how I long to have that bed filled again with her. If we do marry, she will sleep there every night.At these sweet, sexy contemplations, Vidal hardened painfully and pressed her tighter against him. They fit together perfectly.

She squirmed at the sensation, sending a jolt of pleasure through him. Vidal moaned into her mouth. His large, work-roughened hand slipped between their bodies to capture one of her swollen n*****s. He squeezed gently.

This time, Rosalind moaned, arching her back and pressing her breast into his hand.

“Ah, querida,” Vidal murmured against her lips, “how I have longed to hold you in my arms again.”

* * *

Rosalind responded by catching his lower lip between her teeth and tugging gently. He has such a wonderful mouth; full lips almost too sensual for a man, gleaming white teeth, and that tongue… Lord the things he did to me with that tongue! She quivered with yearning, and the secret place between her thighs felt suspiciously liquid. Only Vidal can do this to me. She remembered the other time, in his bed, how he had teased and tormented and finally claimed her. It was wonderful; I want him again.

He has such a wonderful mouth; full lips almost too sensual for a man, gleaming white teeth, and that tongue…Lord the things he did to me with that tongue! Only Vidal can do this to me.It was wonderful; I want him again.The thought brought cold reality washing down over her like ice water, breaking passion’s spell. Though she wanted him desperately, to give herself to him would be asking for trouble. She had, by the grace of God, not conceived a year ago, and it made no sense to risk it now. Also, she feared if she gave in to him too easily, Vidal would begin to see her as a mistress, and that would never do.

She was still trying to think of a way to bring this to his attention when he, of his own volition, released her throbbing breast and said softly, “I’m sorry. You are a lady and deserve to be treated as such. Stolen kisses are no harm, but we should probably return to the party before we create a scandal.”

“I’m a servant, not a lady, but I do agree.”

“Perhaps, but you are no easy girl. Your manners make you a lady. Would I have chosen anything less?”

“No, you’re right, of course,” she agreed, but the panging of regret vibrated through her body like a gong. This isn’t going to be easy. Already, she could feel the cold that would claim her once she stepped out of the heat of his embrace. I’m not ready to let go. “Before we go back, kiss me once again.”

This isn’t going to be easy.I’m not ready to let go.“I would like nothing better,” Vidal murmured, embracing Rosalind again and caressing her lips with his in a kiss of such tender sweetness, it brought tears to her eyes. Then, without a thought for prying eyes, he tucked her hand around his arm, and they headed back to the clearing together.

She didn’t know it, but Rosalind’s face bore such an expression of pure joy that observers could scarcely speak of anything else for days. As for Vidal, he looked thoroughly pleased with himself. Luckily, they had not been gone long enough for more than a kiss or two, so no one began more damaging rumors.

They danced the next waltz together, and then Rosalind sat down with a glass of the famous local sherry and watched Vidal dance with all the shyest and homeliest girls present.

* * *

Vidal kept a close watch on Rosalind while he danced, making sure she didn’t mind. He needn’t have worried. Every time he caught her eye, she rewarded him with a dazzling smile.

He walked over to his capataz, Juan Garcia, and lingered as the man asked him an involved question about the following year’s crop rotations.

Vidal squirmed with annoyance. I hate talking business at parties, and Juan, though a good-hearted man and a hard worker, has little else to say.

I hate talking business at parties, and Juan, though a good-hearted man and a hard worker, has little else to sayVidal longed to get back to Rosalind but was unable to leave without looking rude. He glanced in her direction, hoping she would understand his absence. She smiled reassuringly. She’s dealt with Garcia before, too.

She’s dealt with Garcia before, too.As the minutes dragged by, Vidal found a strange uneasiness stealing over him. It wasn’t boredom that prevented him from concentrating on the conversation, but rather the growing sense that something was terribly wrong. You’re being foolish, he told himself, letting last year’s tragedy affect you. Of course, nothing is going to happen. Still, the uneasy feeling grew.

You’re being foolish,letting last year’s tragedy affect you. Of course, nothing is going to happenA shriek of terrified rage cut through the night. Vidal whirled, Garcia forgotten. Across the clearing, a tall man with light hair and a pale complexion had grabbed Rosalind by the arm and was dragging her away. She fought with every ounce of strength she possessed, scratching at his arms and hands while she screamed for help.